Vivian Darlene Jorgenson, 84, of Minnetonka, MN, and formally of Leeds, ND, passed away on May 1, 2024 at her home under the care of family and hospice. She was ready to join the love of her life, her husband Ron, who died in July of 2021. Graveside Service will held at 3:00 PM Friday, June 14, 2024 St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Leeds, ND with Fr. Daniel Musgrave officiating.

Vivian, a woman of remarkable resilience, grew up in Leeds, ND, with four sisters, two brothers, and her mom and dad. They all worked at the Home Café, a restaurant her father started after losing his farm in the Great Depression. Vivian excelled in school, was a baton twirler, a member of the student senate, and a cheerleader. She met her future husband, Ron, in second grade; the rest is history. Homecoming King and Queen, the High School sweethearts, were married in 1956.

After Ron graduated from the Wahpeton School of Science in 1958, they moved to Anoka, Minnesota, where Ron began his electrical engineering career. After a brief stint in Bottineau, ND, they moved to Rapid City, SD, in 1966, where Vivian worked as a secretary at an elementary school while raising her three sons, Ronnie, Randy, and Robert. They moved to Aberdeen, SD, in 1972 and lived there for nine years before returning to Rapid City, where they remained until 2016 when they moved to Minnesota to be closer to family.

Vivian was a loving mother who devoted most of her time to raising her three sons and supporting Ron. Her love for her family and friends was boundless, and she cherished every moment spent with them. She was extremely competitive, especially at card games. She had an outgoing, infectious personality and loved life. She got her Real Estate license, successfully investing in real estate while in Aberdeen. She was the President of the Arrowhead Country Club, and a City Planning Commissioner for Rapid City. In her younger years she was a downhill snow skier, got the first family hole-in-one in golf, and was a competitive bowler. Vivian's faith was a keystone of her life, and she was a devoted Catholic.

In their later years, Ron and Vivian embarked on many adventures together. They traveled throughout Europe, developing a special bond with Apolda, Germany, a relationship that Vivian played a pivotal role in fostering. Their winters were spent in Arizona, where they enjoyed playing cards, spending time outdoors, a good glass of wine, and making new friends. Family, faith, and friends were cornerstones in their life throughout.

She is survived by her sons, Ron (Christina) Jorgenson, Denver Co, Randy (Julie) Jorgenson, Milton, Florida, and Robert (Geri) Jorgenson, Medina, MN; five grandchildren, Ronnie Jorgenson, Rickie Jorgenson, Jeremy Jorgenson, Lucas Jorgenson, and Danielle (Jorgenson) Gathje; great-granddaughter Sydney; and brother Richard Burkhardsmeier.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Jorgenson; parents, John and Johanna Burkhardsmeier; brother, Anthony Burkhardsmeier; sisters, Mary Brager, Betty Grady, Patty Owens, and Beverly Bracken; and grandchildren, Julie Jorgenson and Ryan Jorgenson.